In 2012, Austin, the capital city of Texas, was ranked by WSJ Marketwatch as the top area for growing businesses. The following year, they were 14th on the Forbes list of the Best Places for Business and Careers. In 2018, Austin's VC numbers were responsible for over 60% of Texas' total investments. As the city has grown, its diversity and culture has grown with it. "Old Austin" is a term coined to describe the city's earlier days, before it became known as the live music capital of the world. Equally revered for its incredible food, Austin was voted the number one city to live in for 3 years in a row.
In 2017 overdosing on opioids accounted for more than 47 000 deaths of Americans. That same year, roughly 1.7 million US residents had a heroin use disorder. According to addiction treatment specialist Dr. Lawrence Brown Jr, "heroin use is probably precipitated by prescription opioid abuse."
Heroin has one of the largest quantities smuggled across the border. It can be easier to access — and cheaper to buy—- than the prescription opioids that started the addiction. One in four who try heroin will become addicted, making it one of the most addictive substances in circulation. The amount resulting in an overdose is only 5 times greater than the dose needed for a high. Heroin can be snorted, smoked or injected. When mixed with alcohol, users are at risk of falling into a coma. Long term use can result in mental health problems, insomnia, and lung, heart, liver and kidney damage. While the high lasts just a few hours, the down can last days, making it more likely for individuals to use again and again.
Help Starts with You
Most treatment centers offer medications to treat addiction, coupled with behavioral therapy. Although the method of treating drug addiction with medication is controversial, studies have shown it to have successful results. Heroin has a high relapse rate, and majority of addicts coming clean will have repeat visits to treatment centers. In most cases, a long-term care is needed to maintain sobriety.
